06-11-2018 Council Meeting Minutes -Liquor Compliance Hearing

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LIQUOR COMPLIANCE HEARING June ll, 2018 APPROVED 1 2 CITY OF LINO LAKES 3 MINUTES 4 5 6 DATE June ll, 2018 7 TIME STARTED 6:05 p.m. 8 TIME ENDED 6*25 p.m. 9 MEMBERS PRESENT Council Members Stoesz, Manthey and Mayor 10 Reinert 11 MEMBERS ABSENT Council Member Rafferty, Maher 12 13 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Public Safety Director John Swenson; 14 and City Clerk, Julie Bartell 15 16 HEARING ON LIQUOR CODE VIOLATION 17 18 Public Safety Director Swenson reported that the Police Division regularly conducts compliance 19 checks at the city's licensed liquor establishments. On November 21, 2017, an underaged 20 person was served at Don Julio's Mexican Restaurant; the bartender who served the alcohol was 21 charged and eventually plead guilty in court. Additionally, on February 18, 2018, police 22 personnel responded to a call from Don Julio's Mexican Restaurant and came upon an assault in 23 progress; it was determined that two bar employees had served an individual under the age of 21 24 and charges were brought against two individual and the outcomes are outlined in the written 25 staff report. Director Swenson explained that the matter of these three violations is now before 26 the city council for consideration of civil action as allowed by the city code. Based on the city's 27 Best Practices Grid, staff is recommending the imposition of civil penalties of $2,000 and a 10- 28 day suspension of the liquor license for Don Julio's Mexican Restaurant. 29 30 The licensee was not present at the hearing. 31 32 Mayor Reinert remarked that the case is clear. The offense screams of this situation needing 33 attention and action. The action recommended by the Grid, $2,000 and 10 day suspension, 34 would be incentive for the owners to clean things up. This type of activity has to stop. He 35 supports the staff recommendation. 36 37 Director Swenson noted that the license for this business will be coming up for consideration of 38 renewal. Staff thought it appropriate to deal with these violations (which occurred in the 39 previous license period) before the council considers renewal for the next licensing period. 40 41 Council Member Stoesz and Manthey expressed support for following at least the Grid 42 recommendation. 43 44 Council Member Stoesz moved to approve a civil penalty of $2,000 and a 10-day suspension. 45 Motion seconded by Council Member Manthey. Motion carried on a voice vote. Council 46 Member Rafferty and Maher absent. 47 48 Action on the matter will be considered as part of the regular council meeting that will follow